September 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Minor Notes: Monegro returns from Tommy John; Anthony and Story rejoin Red Sox
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Rehabbing major leaguers rejoin Red Sox
After missing more than three months of action, Roman Anthony and Trevor Story made their triumphant return to the Red Sox lineup in Sunday's loss to the Yankees. Both players had spent most of the last two weeks on rehab assignments following their lengthy absences, with Anthony hitting .280/.367/.600 with two home runs in eight games between Portland and Worcester while Story hit .171/.189/.200 with 11 strikeouts in 10 games with the WooSox. While he did not pitch on a rehab assignment, Garrett Whitlock also returned to the Red Sox bullpen on Saturday after missing a couple of weeks with elbow inflammation. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has also played eight games on a rehab assignment with Worcester, is likely to follow once rosters expand in September.
While the additions of Anthony and Story improve the upside and depth of the Red Sox lineup, Boston was forced to make some difficult choices to make room on the major league roster. On Sunday, the Red Sox optioned Mickey Gasper and Anthony Seigler to Worcester, though Gasper returned to the major league club on Monday with Willson Contreras heading to the IL. The 30-year-old Gasper has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball recently, hitting .400/.571/1.100 with six home runs in 11 games in August. Seigler, one of Boston's spark plugs during their season-changing winning streak, has slashed .250/.331/.405 in 48 MLB games this season.
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Monegro back on the mound after Tommy John
Yordanny Monegro pitched in a professional game for the first time since June 2025 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Monegro started for Greenville on Friday night, throwing 31 pitches over 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out three batters and walked three. Monegro is ranked as the No. 27 prospect in the system after he posted a 2.67 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings with Portland before his injury last season.
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Updates on the postseason chase
With the minor league season winding down, each of Boston's affiliates finds themselves just out of the playoff picture. Worcester is currently 4.5 games out of a spot in the International League postseason, though they would need to leapfrog six teams to make it into the dance. The Sea Dogs also find themselves 4.5 games out of the playoffs. The Drive are the Red Sox affiliate with the best chance at a postseason berth as they are currently 1.5 games behind Winston-Salem. Salem has been eliminated from postseason contention.
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Additional transactions
- To make room for Whitlock's return, the Red Sox optioned Wyatt Olds to Worcester. Olds made six appearances with the major league club, striking out eight hitters without allowing a run in six innings.
- A pair of top-20 prospects were placed on the 7-day injured list in Portland's Jack Winnay and Greenville's Carlos Gutierrez.
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Johanfran Garcia, C, Portland Sea Dogs
4 G, 18 AB, 10 H, 6 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2 BB, .556/.619/1.056
Johanfran Garcia clubbed three home runs in a monster week for the Sea Dogs, bringing him to 17 longballs in his first season with the Sea Dogs. After his hot week, Garcia is now slashing .293/.342/.503 on the season as he continues to split time between catcher and designated hitter. While it is unclear if he will stick behind the plate in the long run, Garcia's power is his calling card and it has carried the 21-year-old to an impressive season.
Jedixson Paez, RHP, Worcester Red Sox
1 G, 0-0, 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Jedixson Paez delivered a dominant outing for the WooSox last Tuesday, pitching four perfect innings before surrendering a solo home run in his fifth inning of work. That home run was the only baserunner that Paez allowed as he struck out eight batters through five frames. Paez has made three starts since being promoted to Worcester and he holds a 2.92 ERA with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 12 1/3 innings.
Photo Credit: Yordanny Monegro and Johanfran Garcia by Kelly O'Connor